Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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Under the direction of Mr. Daniel Pritchett, the B-band in its Christmas concert performs “Great Songs of Christmas.” Mr. Stanier’s goat, Hershey, VHS’ “Good Luck Goat,” surprised students and faculty upon her entrance onto the gym floor at the afternoon pep session for Homecoming. Members of the band Freedom Jam in their reenactment of the American revolution, pa- rade around the stage singing their own ver- sion of “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Convos= monotony cure-all 17

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Music students from VHS and surrounding area schools attending a “special convo” by big band leader Woody Herman, gave him a standing ovation for his rendition of “Four Brothers.” Soonja Masters (Del “Mastodon” Pitman) “gives five” to Erica Reggie (“Bubba” Birky) as fellow Pep Club members, Dana Redmon (“Ar- nie Brown) and Kim Walls (“Doc” Keller), cheer on. b uzzing throughout the classroom, news of an upcoming convocation rouses excitement among students tired of routine classwork. Students look forward to the unique learning experience in addition to stealing away from class. A wide assortment of performances was planned in hope of appealing to the high school audience with subject matter of educational value. As Convocation Di- rector Glen Ellis explained, “We attempt to put together a schedule that is enter- taining yet also educational. According to Principal Garth Johnson, the convos were intended to provide the student body with a variety of educational experiences. “Whether or not the stu- dents feel entertained is not our primary purpose,” he said, “we can’t compete with television.” Accordingly, Johnson added, they should attend with an attitude for learn- ing. During these convocations, students receive a knowledge of things not normal- ly found in the classroom. Music performances included the sounds of Crossfire, a local group. Jazz band leader Woody Herman presented a 45 minute show attended by Valparaiso music students and students from Ho- bart, Merrillville and other area schools. In addition, students enjoyed Freedom Jam a patriotic musical arrangement. To give students a better awareness in drama, Claude Kipins mime troop enter- tained students with its dramatics. ‘Ben- jamin,’ a mathematical wizard baffled the student body with his calculating trickery. In order to provide a variety of learning experiences, students were given an op- portunity to see the wrestling meet be- tween VHS and Lowell, an event aimed at giving more awareness to individual athle- tic performance. Since accomodating the 1400 students and staff was impossible in the 1000 seat auditorium, two convos were arranged, or only a select group was invited. In addition to the professional presen- tations, the high school’s A and B bands and choirs, orchestra and Girls’ Glee Club performed their annual Christmas and spring concerts in the VHS auditorium. In order to bolster school spirit during sport seasons. Pep Club sponsored after- noon pep sessions for the student body. According to pep session chairman Paula Blanco, “We tried to make the programs more interesting by including more crowd involvement.” Instead of a pep session immediately prior to the Homecoming football game, one was held the Friday before the game. At this time the seven queen candidates were announced and presented. — Kim Ferrall 16 — Concarts Convoa

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T f alparaiso High School students knew the best route to travel to V escape the tedious months of winter. Both the Christmas and King of Hearts dances provided the ideal vaca- tion spot for cooped up couples. Vacations are a break from work and a time for recreation. While many travel to unfamiliar places, VHS students needed to go only as far as the gym’s south bal- cony to sense the same feeling of visiting a unique place outside of Valparaiso. Most students were familiar with down- town Chicago and knew that the coun- try’s third largest city is a masterpiece of illuminated buildings, trees and artfully decorated store windows throughout the Christmas season. The Loop and State Street, however, are a 110-miles round trip from Valpo, and at nearly $1.40 a gallon for gas, a trip to the “big city” was a costly investment. Offering an alternative to Christmas in the Windy City, Student Council present- ed “Christmas on State Street” Saturday, December 6, from 8-11 p.m. In addition to the music of D.J. John Dilley, featured guests included Santa Claus (Mr. Sid Reggie) and his elfin helper (Mr. Skip Bird), a hit duo for 1 1 years. According to Vice President Lance Nightingale, “We tried to make it as much like Chicago as possible.” With the Chi- cago skyline in the background, lights and garland draping the ceiling, 150 cou- ples danced down a State Street of store- fronts with Marshall Fields and Charles A. Stevens. By February, students were due for another break and the V-teens annual King of Hearts Dance pro- vided the opportunity. Since few students have traveled to the Orient, V- teen club members planned a substitute tour package with their “Oriental Gar- dens” theme. On a foggy, Friday, Feb- ruary 20, among pictur- esque flower gardens with pagodas and dragons, 180 couples ventured into a far eastern setting, while music by Starbound filled the at- mosphere. Proceeds from the dance and contest for King of Hearts were donated to the Porter County Heart Asso- ciation. This year $500 was added to the fund; over the past 12 years VHS has con- tributed $4200. — Kim Ferrall Talking amid a far eastern setting provided by V-teens members Tim Osterhaut, Tara McA- leer, Judy Watson and Ron Blossom discuss their evening at “Oriental Gardens” before leaving. Holiday bells with names of the 150 couples attending the 1980 Christmas Dance gave sophomore Corrine Keene and senior Mark Marencik a momento from the evening. 18 — Christmas King Of Hearts